Two seek sheriff’s post in Gloucester

Friday was the deadline for candidates to file to be on the ballot of the Nov. 6 general election. This year, voters will cast their ballot for a number of state races and in Gloucester, a special election for sheriff.

Gloucester voter registrar Bobbi Morgan said two candidates have filed for the sheriff’s race, including current sheriff Darrell Warren. Warren, who served a chief deputy under former sheriff Steve Gentry took over the sheriff’s position when Gentry resigned earlier this year.

Warren is running as a Republican and will face off with Clarence Bowser, an independent.

Voters will also have an opportunity to choose the next candidate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Jim Webb, who has decided not to run for reelection.

Candidates include former U.S. Senator and former Virginia Governor George Allen, a Republican from Henrico, and former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Richmond.

Allen, the incumbent, lost the Senate seat to Webb during the 2006 election.

The First District U.S. Congressional seat is also up for selection in November. Running against incumbent Rob Wittman, a Republican from Montross, are Adam Cook, a Democrat from Fredericksburg, and G. Gail Parker of Alexandria, running with the Independent Green party.

Finally, Carla Hook, an independent, will be unopposed on the ballot in Gloucester to fill the York district school board seat that was vacated by Starr Belvin.

There will also be two constitutional amendments on Virginia’s ballot in November. The proposed amendments, which deal with eminent domain and Virginia General Assembly sessions, can be accessed by visiting www.sbe.virginia.gov or www.gloucesterva.info/Registrar.

ID requirement

Voters will be faced with several changes when they go to cast their ballots during the Nov. 6 general election.

Morgan said due to changes in the law, a form of identification is now required to vote.

“Before, if you had no ID, you signed an ‘Affirmation of Identity’ and voted normally,” Morgan said. “Now, you have to vote a provisional ballot and provide the registrar’s office a copy of your ID by noon of that Friday after the election for your vote to count.”

Morgan said acceptable forms of identification include the following: A Commonwealth of Virginia Voter Registration card, Social Security card, valid Virginia driver’s license, any other identification card issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth, any valid student identification card issued by any institution of higher education located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, any valid employee identification card issued containing a photograph of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer’s business, a copy of a current utility bill, a copy of a current bank statement, a copy of a current government check, a paycheck that shows the name and address of the voter, or a concealed handgun permit.

Also new this year, Morgan said those eligible to vote absentee can request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them to avoid the lines at the registrar’s office. She said applications are already being received and held to process as soon the registrar’s office receives the ballots in late September.